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Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Template
Formally reply to a divorce petition, confirm or dispute specific claims, and outline your own requests with this complete Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Template.
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Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Template
In the [Name of Court] Court of [County], [State]
Case No.: __________________________
Petitioner: [Full Name of Petitioner]
Respondent: [Full Name of Respondent]
1. Identification of Respondent
I, [Respondent’s Full Name], residing at [Address, City, State, ZIP], submit this Response to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage filed by [Petitioner’s Full Name].
2. Acknowledgment of Marriage
Respondent admits that the parties were legally married on [Marriage Date] in [City, State].
3. Response to Allegations
Respondent answers the allegations in the Petition as follows:
Paragraph No. | Response (Admit, Deny, or Partially Admit) | Explanation (if necessary) |
|---|---|---|
1 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
2 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
3 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
4 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
5 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
(Add additional rows as needed.)
4. Children of the Marriage
The Respondent states the following regarding minor children:
Number of minor children: [Number]
Names and dates of birth: [Full Name, DOB]
The Respondent [agrees/disagrees] with the custody and visitation terms proposed by the Petitioner and instead requests the following arrangement:
[Outline desired custody, visitation schedule, and child support terms.]
5. Property and Debt Division
The Respondent [agrees/disagrees] with the Petitioner’s proposed division of property and debts.
Requested division:
Property to Respondent: [List assets]
Property to Petitioner: [List assets]
Debts responsibility: [List debts and allocation]
6. Spousal Support
The Respondent [does/does not] request spousal support (alimony).
If requested:
Monthly amount: $[Amount]
Duration: [Time Period or “until further order of the court”]
7. Restoration of Name (if applicable)
The Respondent requests that their former name, [Previous Name], be restored.
8. Counterclaims (Optional)
Respondent asserts the following counterclaims:
[Insert details, if applicable — e.g., custody modification, financial relief, division of additional assets.]
9. Prayer for Relief
The Respondent respectfully requests that the Court:
Accept this Response as properly filed and served.
Grant a fair and equitable division of marital property and debts.
Establish custody, visitation, and support terms consistent with the Respondent’s requests.
Deny any relief sought by the Petitioner that is not consistent with law or fairness.
Grant any other relief the Court deems just and proper.
Date: __________________________
Respondent’s Signature: __________________________
Printed Name: __________________________
Address: __________________________
Phone Number: __________________________
Email: __________________________
Verification
I, [Respondent’s Name], affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements contained in this Response are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Signature: __________________________
Date: __________________________
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that a copy of this Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage was served on [Petitioner’s Name or Petitioner’s Attorney] at [Address or Email] on [Date].
Signature: __________________________
Date: __________________________
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Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Template
Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage FAQ
What is a Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage?
A Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is a legal filing submitted by the respondent (the spouse who did not initiate the divorce) to acknowledge receipt of the petition and provide their position on the issues raised, such as custody, property division, and support.
Why is this document important?
Filing a response prevents a default judgment and ensures that your perspective and claims are considered by the court. It also allows you to request alternative arrangements regarding children, assets, or debts.
When should you file a Response?
Typically, you must file your response within 20–30 days after being served with the divorce petition, depending on your state’s rules. Failing to respond within the deadline may result in the court proceeding without your input.
What should a Response include?
It should include your acknowledgment of the marriage, your agreements or disagreements with each allegation in the petition, any counterclaims, and your specific requests regarding custody, support, and division of property.
Can you include your own requests in the Response?
Yes. The respondent may request specific relief or file a “Counter-Petition” outlining their own proposals for property division, custody, and other matters.
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